Fastener guiding attachment for sewing machines



July 15, 1952 v A. M. SCHWEDA I 2,603,174

I FASTENER GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES I Filei March 31, 1950 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ INVENTOR.

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA ATTORNEY.

y 1952 A. M. SCHWEDA 2,603,174

FASTENER GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed March 31, 1950 5 Slieets-Sheet 2 JNV R. 9|

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA ATTORNEY y 1952 A. M. SCHWEDA 2,603,174

FASTENER GUIDING ATTACHMENT F OR SEWING MACHINES Filed March 51, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA vATTORNEY.

July 15, 1952 A. M. SCHWEDA FASTENER GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 31, 1950 INVENTOR.

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA ATTORNEY.

July 15, 1952 A. M. SCHWEDA 7 FASTENER GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed March 51, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. I2

r 1 r 109 105 106 k IIO .INVENTOR.

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA ATTORNEY.

Patented July 15, 1952 FASTENERGUIDING ATTACHMENT Fc-a snwmo MACHINES Albert S'chweda, Chicago, 1 11., assi gnor to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago,-lll., a corporation of Illinois Application March 31, 1950, Serial No. 153,128

This invention pertains to sewing '1 machines, and in one of itsmore specific aspects, to ;a sewing machine attachmentmechanism adapted to guide elements of a slide fastener unit disposed along a line transverse to a line of stitching in the course of forming the stitching by the, Sewing machine needle and associated devices in a piece of work that includes'the fastener unit. 7

While the mechanism of this invention] is adapted to be advantageously employedinjstitching together various arrangementsof parts including a fastener unit in a piece of 'work,.itis

pa i lar u e u in s m neously s win a waistband on a pair of trousers and securing an end of a slide fastener strip unit inplacebetween the edge oi the waistbandand the edgefof the main trouser body. the time that the waist? band is secured in such an arrangement of parts, the slide fastener unitisdisposedtransverse to the line of feed, that is, transverse to the lineof stitching being formed by the sewing machine needle and associated elements, and is positioned between the Waistband parts as the waistband passes the needle.

Experience has demonstratedthat unless conventional metallic fastener elements of the fastener unit are properly guidedasfthey aremoved past the needle, the needle may strikefonefof the fastener elements and as aconsequence,

the needle oftentimes is damaged or broken.

Even if the needle is only slightly'burred as a result of striking afastener element, itwill not thenceforthcoact with otherparts in the formaion of proper stiches. This necessitatesreplac a ment of such needlesand costlydelays in product'ion. Also, it is apparent that needle breakage due to striking a fastener element may endanger the operator.

-The present invention obviates the foregoing diificulties as it properly guides fastener elements so as to permit the sewing machine needle yto stitch across the fastenerunit without striking any'of such elements. To this end, the guiding mechanism of the inventionlcomprises-a device including a finger so constructed and arranged as to be readily swung into or out-of service immediatelyin advance of the needle for guiding the fastener elements at the proper time in the course of forming stitches across the" unit The finger, when in operative position, engages and guides adjacent fastener elements, but permits the needle to pass between those elements. The device'is adapted to be placed into and out. of

I service at the will of the operator, and is intended to be in active service onlyfor the interval' lor a portion of the interval of time duringwhich 10 Claims. (01.112-136) At other times, the device is swung to an inactive or inoperative position away from the stitchforming' devices, thereby permitting thecarrying out of conventional sewing opjerations' wi-thout interfering with or obstructing the worl; or -retarding normal operations.

A primary object of the invention is to expedite the joiningtogether of a slide fastenerunit and other parts along aline across the fastener unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sewing machine attaching mechanism adapted to facilitatethe 'formation'ofa line of stitches across a slide fastener unit in the course of stitching together parts of a piece of work includin the fastener unit. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide asewingmachine slide fastener guiding'attach- Q mentthatis adapted to be connected directly to a sewing finachine 'pr'esser' bar orpresser foot shank and-movable therewith, or be attached to the sewing machine head.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attaching-mechanism of the characterindicated, that is adapted to be readily placed into and-out of active service at the willfof the fastener unit is being fed past the needle. 7

- the operator;

a mechanismfof the character indicated; th v I bas m -Another object of the invention is to minimize the possibility of damage or breakage to a sewing machine needle orassociateddevices' in the course of forming stitches across afslide -fastener' unit. The invention has for another object the provision of a sewing machine slide fastenerguiding attachment that may readily] and 1' duiclgly un e an em a m a sew n math A-further object of theinvention isto provide i adaptedto perform its; inten ed effective and trouble-free manner.-

" 5 V, A further object of the'invention isto provide a sewing machine slide'fastener' guiding h..

anism that" is simple and compact in .1 design,

v facturing and maintenance costs.

T icre ne bieqts et e it other, jects, as well as the advantages. obtainable by t P eemi a .th i'w ti ni i b r a un e t by erso s i le i tl ea t p n reference'to the following detailed description, taken qqeiun ee Wit t annexed .d aw n s' hicf respectively describe and illustrate a preferred Q r m dev es r mbef in t e nve n- "-In'thedrawings:-

liigurel is a view in frontielevation. ofgaflat e ewin mac n hav n an ar n m nt of devic es jembodying the inventionloperativelyassqqi l l therewit e a teammate o sturdy in construction and reasonable in mannconventional needle 22"(Figure 10).

machine of this general type is disclosed in F. F. .Zeier Patent1,843,188, entitled Sewing Ma- -chlne,-to which reference may be had for an essential to a full understanding of the invention being omitted, and certain other parts being broken away for better illustration;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in end elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1, as seen from the left thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken along line 33 of Figure 1, another relative position of certain of the depicted parts being represented by dot-dash lines;

Figure 4 is a view in enlargement of certain parts shown in Figure 3 in association with certain other parts;

Figure 5 is a front elevation view of a bracket and several parts carried thereby;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation view of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of one preferred form of fastener guiding device;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of Figure 3, and shows one relative position of certain parts in the course of feeding a piece of work through the sewing machine;

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 8 and shows .another relative position of the parts illustrated therein;

Figure 10 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section taken along line I0l 0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 corresponds to Figure 7 and illustrates another form of fastener guiding device;

7 Figure 12 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a modification of the invention; and 1 Figure 13 corresponds to Figure 12 and illustrates a portion of another modification of the invention.

vthetop of which is planar and constitutes a work support 11. Extending upwardly of the base is a hollow standard [8 that carries an integral hollow overhanging arm I9 having a depending head 20. Vertically reciprocable within head is a needle bar 2| to which is removably attached a A sewing understanding of an arrangement of devices, not shown herein, for driving needle 22.

-Parallel to needle bar 2| is a presser bar that carries anopen-toed presser foot 26 at its lower end. As is best shown in Figures 8 and .9,

the presser foot is provided with an elongated slot 21 that extends rearwardly of its front edge 28. Mounted on overhanging arm I!) for yieldingly urging presser bar 25 and, therefore, presser foot 26 downwardly is a presser mechanism 29 which includes a horizontally disposed leaf spring 30. One end of the leaf spring is anchored to the overhanging arm by a stud (not shown). A thumb nut 3| engages a threaded vertical stem 32' which is attached to overhanging arm I9 and extends through a central aperture 'in the leaf spring. Reference may be had to F. A. Kucera Patent 2,103,470, entitled Presser Mechanism for Sewing Machines, for further details as to the construction and operation ofthe presser mechanism herein illustrated. v

A feed dog 33 is positionedin base I6 directly below presser foot 26, and is encompassed by a throat plate 34 (Figure 3). The feed cog is prefer'ably actuated by a mechanism 35 of the fourmotion type that may be the same as or similar to the feeding mechanism illustrated and described in A. J. Wohlpart Patent 1,817,727, entitled Feeding Mechanism for Sewing Machines.

The sewing machine may be mounted in the usual manner on a horizontal top 36 of a suitable supporting structure not otherwise shown. Top 36 is provided with a through aperture 31.

An arrangement of devices that constitutes a recommended form of fastener guiding attachment mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention will now be described, reference being had initially to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. In this connection, there is shown a support or bracket 40 that includes a lower arm 4| and an upper arm 42. The lower arm has an opening 43 for the reception of presser bar 25 and is secured to the presser bar by set screws 44. This arrangement permits of ready angular and vertical adjustment of the bracket with respect to the presser bar. An opening 45, in upper arm 42, accommodates the upper end of a post or stud '46 that is connected to the bracket in parallel relation to the presser bar by set screws 41 which permit of angular and vertical adjustment of the post with respect to the bracket. The post is provided at its lower end with an integral member or head that has an upper camming surface 5!. An adjustable stop 52 consists of a horizontal arm 53 and a depending stop arm 54. As is shown in Figure 6, arm 53 is positioned in ahorizontal guide groove 55 formed in the bracket, and. is adjustable with respect to, the bracket as allowed by a screw 56 which extends through 'aslot5l in arm 53. Secured to the bracket and projecting downwardly therefrom is a stop pin 58.

'A' unitary fastener guiding device, generally indicated by numeral 60 and best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7, is pivotal with respect to and movable along post 46. This device includes a coaxial with post '46 and having a camming under surface 62 which is complementary to'camming surface 5| of member 50; a generally hook-shaped member 63 that terminates in a tapered wedge-like guide finger 64;

and an arm 65 that projects to the side of the axis of the hub opposite member 63. The arm has a spring-receiving firstopening 66 and a second opening 61 adjacent its free end.

1 A helical compression spring 10 coaxial with post46 bears at one end against a washer II that rests on hub iil, and at its other end against a shown in Figure 9. Stop pin 58 limits such clockwise movement of device 60 with respect to the pos V Fastener guiding device 60 is adapted to be rotated about post'46'in a clockwise direction, from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 8, through the coaction of devices that will next be described. Referring to Figures land 2, such devicesinclude a block 11 supported on top 36 and having a vertical through aperture 18 that is-in alignment with aperture?! in the top. A pulley bracket 80, consisting of a base 8| and a pair of parallel spaced arms 82, is attached to the blockiby screws .83. Disposed between bracket arms 82 "and rotatable about a pin 2 carried by these arms is a pulley 85.

An inverted U-shaped bracketfifi is mounted against the under surface of top 36 and includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 81 which support a rockshaft 90. A collar QF-isattached to each end of the rock shaft to prevent axial movement of the shaft. A pair of blocks 92 and 93 embrace the rock shaft intermediate bracket arms 81 and are'angularly and axially adjustable with respect to the rock shaft. through the medium of set screws 94 and 95, respectively; Extending radially of block 52 is a rod t6.

A flexible cable 81 is connected at one end "to the free end of rod 98, extends upwardly through apertures-31 and I8, passes over pulley B5, and is connected at its other end to arm 65 by a bolt 93 which extends through arm opening 57 and has a nut- 59 (Figure 2). A second rod I til is attached to block 93 by a set screw IfiI (Figure 1). Aknee pad E2 is adjustably attached to the lower end portion of rod I39 by a set screw I53. s

I have shown in Figures 8 and 9 a portion the fabric of a trouser body Hi including a fly 'strip H38. Secured to strip Hit by rows of stitch- 'ing I91 is a conventional slide fastener unit I93 consisting of'a tape stringer I59 and aseries of fastener elements Iiii. A preformed fabric unit III (Figures 9 and comprises 'a waistband I'IZ stitched to a waistband lining strip H3 and v to a waistband reinforcing strip I I4, as indicated at H5. lining strip H3, a portion H8 of the lining strip Reinforcing strip HG is superposed on being folded over the reinforcingstrip and secured thereto by a row of stitching H1. in Figure 9 there is shown a belt'loop H8 secured to the waistband.

vFor the purpose of briefly outlining the mode of operation of the illustrated apparatus, it is assumed that the same is being used to join fabric unit III to trouser body I05 and that fastener unit I98 and the other parts of the piece of work are in the relative position shown in Figure'8. The line of stitching being formed by the sewing machine is indicated at I 20, and as is. shown in Figure 9, this line of stitching is transverse to the fastener unit. It is further assumed that the parts of the guiding mechanism are in the relative position shown in Fig- .ure .9. This is the normal position of the parts of the guiding mechanism dueto the action of spring I5; With the parts in this position, fastener guiding device 653 has been swung, and raised with respect to post 4t due to the action of spring and the interaction of camming surfaces 5i and 62 against the downward thrust of spring I0.

, In the course of stitching unit III to body I85,

6 pivotal .movement of .guidingdevice 60 :and, therefore, finger .64. The finger is so configured and arranged that as it moves downwardly and arcuately, it enters in the space between adjacent fastener elements I I0 and aligns this space with the needle. As the work is continued tosbe fed through the sewing machine, the needle passes between the aforementioned adjacent fastener elements. After the fastener unit and associatd fabrics have been fed past the needle, the operator releases knee pressure onpad member I02, whereupon the'pa'rts 0f. the attachment mechanism: are returned to inactive position -(Figure9) by spring I5.

There isshown in Figure-:11 a modified form of fastener guiding device I29 that may beadvantageolusly employed in lieu of'earlier described fastener guiding device 60; Device I comprises a hub IZI WhlCh, as intheoase of hub 6I,'has

a cammingunder surface (not-shown) thatris complementary to camming surface SI of member 593. nlntegralavith the hub isan armI22 that extends toonezside of the axis of the hub and has a first opening I23 for receiving an end of spring 15, and a second 'openinglitfor connection-to cable 9'! by. means of bolt-fidi 'Alsointegral with I theihubis=a relativcly short arm I extending machine head instead of to the presser bar.

the guiding mechanism is maintained out of I serviceuntil fastener elements I02 with hisknee, imparting thereby imparting clockwise rotationtoguiding device 69; about post it against the action of spring 15 to the extent allowed by stop arm- 54. .Simultaneous with the foregoing, device 69 is moved downwardly with respect to post 46- due to .camming surfaces 51 and 62 and the action of: compression spring Hi. It will thus be noted that-actuation of the knee pad. member I02,as yindicated, results in a. combined downwardnand III] approach the needle. At that time the operator presses -padmember counter-clockwise pivotal movement to rock shaft 90, (Figure '1) and actuating flexible cable .91,

to theside of the axis of the hub opposite arm I22. hook-shaped member I2 8, that may be the same in configuration as member 63', terminates-in'a tapered guide finger I21. Member 126 is attachedto shortarm I25 byascrew 028 which extends through a slot I29 in the member. As will be apparent from an examination of Figure 11,- the illustrated construction permits of lateral =andangular' adjustmentof member i25 relative to the hub. 1 a

I Thej modification or the invention shown in used, ibracket- I3ii and post &8 remain" stationary relative to the sewing machine frame. Fastener guiding device Ed is, however, znovable axially and angularly with respect to the post into and out of active position in the manner described.

There is. shown in Figure 13 a furthernmodificationof the invention employing another form of 1 bracket or support I35 that includes.

upper and lower arms I35 and; respectively.

Integral with the lower armis a depending..tu-

bularxmemberlifiii coaxiafwith presser bar 25 and constituting an elongated shank for andizivotally 'connected to presser'foot'fc, as indicated I at 139. A screw I40, for attaching tubular member I38 to the presser bar, permits of angular and axial adjustment of the tubular member with respect to the presserv ban, The construction shown in Figure 13 is-otherwise the same as in the first described embodiment 0'? their.- vention. Also, it-will be noted that in this modification the fastener guiding attachment mechanism isreciprocable with the presser bar.

Fromthe foregoing, it is believedthat the construction, operation, and .advantagesof :my .presentinvention will; be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the apparatus set forth above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a sewing machine attachment mechanism that is adapted to guide fastener elements of a slide fastener unit disposed along a line generally transverse to a line of stitching in the course of forming such stitching by the sewing machine needle and associated elements in a piece of work which includes the fastener unit, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post carried by the support, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally connected to and movable along the axis of the post, said device including a finger having a free end, resilient means normally maintaining the device in, a predetermined angular andaxial position relative to the post to position the free end of the finger away from the needle and above the work, and means connected to the device for moving the device in one direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a corresponding direction along the axis of the post against the action of the resilient means to swing the free end of the finger toward the work and to the side of the needle opposite previously formed stitches.

2. In an attachment mechanism for a sewing machine that includes a reciprocable presser bar, a needle and associated stitch-forming elements, which mechanism is adapted-to guide fastener elements of a slide fastener unit disposed along a line generally transverse to a line of stitching in the course of forming such stitching by the sewing machine in a piece of work which includes the fastener unit, a support adapted to be attached to the presser bar for reciprocation therewith, a post carried by the support in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the presser bar, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally connected to and movable along the axis of the post, said device including a finger having a free end, resilient means normally maintaining the device in a predetermined angular and axial position relative to the post to position the free end of the finger away from the needle and above the work, said means including a spring connected to the support and to the device, and means connected to the device for moving the device in one direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a corresponding direction along the axis of the post against the action of the resilient means to swing the free end of the finger toward the work and to the side of the needle opposite previously formed stitches.

3. In an attachment mechanism for a sewing machine that includes a reciprocable presser bar, a needle and associated stitch-forming elements, which mechanism is adapted to guide fastener elements of a slide fastener unit disposed along a line generally transverse to a line of stitching in the course of forming such stitching by the sewing machine in a piece of work which includes the fastener unit, a support adapted to be attached to the presser bar for reciprocation therewith, said support comprising a tubular presser foot shank coaxial with the presser bar and a bracket extending upwardly and to one side of the shank, a post carried by the end of 8 the bracket remote from the shank in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the needle, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally connected to and movable along the axis of the post, said device including a finger having a free end, resilient means normally maintaining the device in a predetermined angular and axial position relative to the post to position the free end of the finger away from the needle and above the work, said means including a spring connected to the support and to the device, and means connected to the device for moving the device in one direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a corresponding direction along the axis of the post against the action of the resilient means to swing the free end of the finger toward the work and to .the side of the needle opposite previously formed stitches.

4. In a sewing machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post carried by the support, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally, connected to and movable along the post, said device including a finger having a free end, resilient means normally maintaining the device in a predetermined angular and axial position relative to the post, said means including a spring connected to the support and to the device, and means connected to the device for moving the device in one direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a corresponding direction along the post against the action of the resilient means, said last-mentioned means including a spring normally urging the device in said corresponding direction.

5. In a sewing machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post carried by the support, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device including a finger having a free end, a spring connected to the support and to the device for normally imparting pivotal movement to the device with respect to the post in one direction, cammin means cooperating with the hub for effecting corresponding movement of the device along the post in response to pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in said one direction, and means connected to the device for imparting reverse pivotal and axial movements to'the device with respect to the post against the action of the spring, said last-mentioned mean including a spring normally urging the device in said reverse direction.

6. In a sewin machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post depending from the support, a fastener guiding device pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device comprising a hub coaxial with the post and a finger secured to the hub and having a free end located below and to one side of the 'axis of the hub, a'spring connected to the support and to the device for normally imparting pivotal movement to the device with respect to the post in one direction, camming means cooperating with the hub for effecting upward movement of the device along the post in'response to pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in said one direction, and means connected to the device for moving the device in a reverse direction about it pivotal connection with the post and in a downward direction along the post against the action of the spring, said last-mentioned means including a spring normally urging the device in said downward direction.

'7. In a sewing machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post carried by the support, a fastener guiding device including a hub pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device including a finger having a free end, a spring connected to the support and to the device for normally imparting pivotal movement to the device with respect to the post in one direction, a member secured to the post, the member and the device having cooperative camming surfaces for eifecting corresponding movement of the device along the post in response to pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in said one direction, means connected to the device for imparting reverse pivotal and axial movements to the device with respect to the post against the action of the spring.

8. In a sewing machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post depending from the support, a fastener guiding device pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device comprising a hub coaxial with the post and a finger having a free end carried by the hub, a member secured to the post below the hub, the member and the device having cooperative camming surfaces for effecting upward movement of the device along the post in response to corresponding pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in said one direction, and means connected to the device for moving the device in a reverse direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a downward direction along the axis of the post against the action of the spring, said last-mentioned means including a spring normally urging the device in said downward direction.

9. In a sewing machine attachment of the class described, a support adapted to be attached to the sewing machine, a post depending from the support, a fastener guiding device pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device eomprising a hub coaxial with the post, a finger secured to the hub and having a free end located below and to one side of the axis of the hub, said finger being laterally and angularly adjustable with respect to the hub, and an arm connected to the hub and disposed to the other side of the axis of the hub, a spring connected to the support and to the arm for normally imparting pivotal movement to the device with respect to the post in one direction, camming means cooperating with the hub for effecting upward movementof the device along the post in response to pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in said one direction, means connected to the device for moving the device in a reverse direction about its pivotal connection with the post and in a downward direction along the axis of the post against the action of the spring, said last-mentioned means including a spring normally urging the device in said downward direction, and stop elements carried by the support for limiting pivotal movement of the device with respect to the post in either direction.

10. In an attachment for a sewing machine that includes a presser bar, a support comprising a tubular member adapted to receive andbe attached to the presser bar and a bracket carried by the tubular member, a post depending from the bracket, said post being spaced from and parallel to the tubular member, a fastener guiding device pivotally connected to and movable along the post, said device comprising a hub coaxial with the post and a finger secured to the hub and having a free end located below and to one side of the axis of the hub, a spring connected to the support and to the device for normally imparting pivotal movement to the device with respect REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,915,580 Rabinowitz June 27, 1933 1,942,903

Roseman Jan. 9, 1934 

